Monday, April 27, 2009

Stand By Me




This painting was inspired by a video link that Joanne Giesbrecht posted on her blog a few days ago. I found it so moving that I felt compelled to paint this amazing street artist, Roger Ridley from Santa Monica, Calif., who starts it all off. Thanks Joanne. There are several other fabulous performers that some of you may feel the urge to immortalize. I can see about 82 more potential paintings here. Crank it up and enjoy...and thanks for standing by me. http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

oil on masonite 

8" x 6"
Posted by at

19 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 29, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    Wow Vern! Is there nothing you can't paint! I love this. Please do more. So well rendered and just enough of the background to show he's surrounded but not to distract from his performance.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dana CooperApril 29, 2009 at 12:00 PM

    Beautiful painting of the singer in Santa Monica with the crowd barely indicated but obviously listening to him in the background...bravo, Vern!
    The video was fabulous...that kind of thing makes me cry...in a good way!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Every Photo Tells A StoryApril 29, 2009 at 2:59 PM

    All I can say, Vern, is WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  4. dominique eichiApril 29, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    Hey Vern Bravo great painting, This is the video I had posted on my blog a while back but it seems that I might of not done the link well because I never did have any comments on it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Edward BurtonApril 29, 2009 at 11:53 PM

    GREAT painting, Vern.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Vern SchwarzApril 30, 2009 at 7:46 AM

    Thanks Sheila, you are too kind, I probably will do more, if not from this video, but other musicians.

    Dana, this IS a very moving video isn't it? I've watched it about 30 times. Thanks.

    Thank you Nancy, you are always so supportive.

    Dominique, sorry I missed it on your blog and thanks.

    Cathyann, I didn't consciously do the T thing, but glad you like it.

    Thanks Edward.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Camille LaRue OlsenApril 30, 2009 at 10:04 AM

    Vern, you ROCK!!!! This is way beyond cool, and I suspect that Roger will see this painting at some point and imagine how it will make him smile. Maybe one of you California people could make that happen sooner rather than later...? All you have to do is walk up to him with your I-phone or Blackberry. And far be it from me to tell anyone else what to do...
    ;)
    Vern, you rock, and roll.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dean H.April 30, 2009 at 2:35 PM

    I really enjoyed the great collection from all over the globe doing "Stand By Me"!
    You really nailed this painting!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jala PfaffApril 30, 2009 at 8:42 PM

    I saw that video too! This is great, I think it reflects the emotion and sincerity of the musicians in that vid.

    ReplyDelete
  10. L.HolmApril 30, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    Amazing video, and terrific painting, Vern. How did you get a "still" from this? I can definitely see a series--I really love the south african women. Your painting captures the beauty and spirit of these performers, and the message.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Vern SchwarzMay 1, 2009 at 6:31 AM

    Camille, thanks so much, it would be fun to see him perform live...he can sure sing.

    Thanks Dean, the colour and brightness of the photo are up a few of notches from the original which I think looks a lot better in person.

    Jala, you're right, I thought it was such an honest, from the gut performance by all these great musicians...thanks.

    Liz, I have a photographic whatchamacallit...ha! I just hit pause(a little grainy), but certainly a usable reference. I'd like to paint some more of these people, glad you liked it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. artbyakikoMay 1, 2009 at 3:56 PM

    Beautiful painting! I also love the colorful audience on the background.

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownMay 2, 2009 at 8:23 AM

    Vern,
    You have captured this performer's heart in a painting... really beautiful. I am so glad that the video struck a chord with you, and that we will see some of the other artists immortalized in your painting as well. I love how bright the colors are, and how we know all those background figures are standing by the performer - if not figuratively, certainly literally. :-) Just beautiful, Vern. You are one talented man!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Vern SchwarzMay 2, 2009 at 11:18 AM

    Thanks Akiko, I really appreciate it.

    Joanne, thank you so much, I really enjoyed this whole experience from video to painting and again, am very happy that I saw this on your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Marilyn M. KingMay 3, 2009 at 12:04 AM

    Vern! Thanks so much for sharing this. It is one of my favorite songs and always makes me "get down". All these musicians had me rockin and what a wonderful thing you did painting one of them. Wonderful painting and I hope he sees it someday. If we all painted a musician on this video and the producers catch wind of it, do you think we would have a copyright problem? I would hope not but in this day and age..... I'm already looking at one to paint.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Vern SchwarzMay 3, 2009 at 10:04 PM

    Thanks Marilyn, sounds like you really enjoyed it. I can hardly wait to see what you do in the way of a painting. As for copyright issues...who knows, good point though.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Mona Diane ConnerMay 3, 2009 at 10:53 PM

    Vern, I love this piece, and the handling of the crowd scene in the background is beautifully handled. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Vern SchwarzMay 7, 2009 at 3:51 PM

    Thanks Mona, glad you like it.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Paintings by Irit BourlaMay 13, 2009 at 10:22 AM

    Vern,
    I knew who he is after all i am from SM. No mistake it is Roger it is a great painting..

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)